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| Megan & kids in traditional dress for the holiday |
It began early in the morning. As soon as the morning prayers are completed (around 7:30) the visiting begins. Everybody dresses in their best and the men and kids go out to greet anyone and everyone. The women remain at home and greet the men and kids with candy, sodas, juice, cakes, cookies, samosas and other things they’ve stayed up late baking. When Tom and the kids went off visiting, they soon ran into our good friend, Sterehi who wanted them to go with him. Many island men make the rounds with their good friends.
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| Ready to hit the town with Dad |
So before we knew it we were in a taxi and off to Sterehi’s neighborhood to visit all his friends and family. He lives in the old town and this meant wandering the narrow streets and walking up and down lots of steep, narrow, and uneven stairs to houses built above the shops on the street level. By 10:30 we were wiped out. The kids had been stuffed with cookies and candy and my arms were tired from carrying our youngest everywhere. Sterehi was ready to continue and take a taxi to another set of relatives but I declined. We came back home, visited a few more neighbors, and then happily took a breather. But the day (especially for Megan) was just getting started…
The holiday itself is a big deal, but it also means that now islanders could restart other types of festivities that aren’t appropriate during the month of fasting--namely weddings and birthday parties. So right after midday prayers we caught a taxi to another town and in no time Tom and the boys joined a throng of men headed towards the bride’s house while our daughter and I waited the women’s turn. After almost an hour each of being squished into a hot room with lots of people (2 hours total), we were ready to go home.
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| Visiting the neighbors |
At 3pm we made it back for something to eat (I guess it was lunch) and hopefully some rest, but just as we were going inside our neighbor, Ma Riziki, said to me, “Okay, we’ll leave for our wedding now then.” I had been invited to this second wedding the day before and had told Ma Riziki I was already going to a wedding, little did I know my attendance was necessary so they had postponed.
The two weddings couldn’t have been more different. The first one was a big house overflowing with people-- loud, live music, lots of dancing, laughing and talking. The second wedding was just five of us arriving at a small house. I was actually convinced that we had missed the wedding and that we were just paying respects. Everyone was very quiet and reserved. They chanted the customary prayers and blessings. My friend had told me to bring my camera and motioned for me to take pictures, so I did. It wasn’t until we went into the back room to visit the bride and groom that I realized that this was it, this was the wedding. A patched-up wedding of a young man and a pregnant bride and I was the photographer! As we left the wedding with our flower garlands on, the neighbors started asking where we were coming from and it was obvious that this wedding had not been publicized and that they considered it a juicy piece of gossip.
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| Ma Riziki with son & bride at 2nd wedding |
Getting back to the house after 5pm, there was still more in store for us. I could already hear the birthday party’s (not our son's) blaring music from across the street. We had received this invitation weeks ago. So after a little bit of rest, I wrapped up the birthday present and walked over with our older two kids. The small room was packed with children of all ages and the music was blaring through huge speakers. Immediately tons of kids tried to pull our daughter and son into the crowd by their arms or else just touch their hair. Our kids instantly clung tightly to me in defense. We made our way to the balcony door where it wasn’t so stifling. Our daughter wanted to dance but was too scared/overwhelmed/shy. Our son was tired and wanted to go home, but you’re not supposed to leave a birthday party until the cake (which comes after lots of dancing, snacks and then a meal.) We weren’t going to make it. First I took our 3 year old son home and our daughter & I went home after snacks. The party continued past 9 o’clock.
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| Happy baby celebrating his 1st BD |
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had a nice time celebrating our youngest's birthday on Thursday-- we are very thankful that he is healthy and happy. He also is over the latest bout of teething. Our crazy holiday went well. We’ve seen some improvement in Megan’s back.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
We are beginning English classes on Monday. Pray that they get going on the right foot and that we are able to maintain a good balance with these additional work commitments. Continue to pray for the house hunt--- discernment in our choices and good favor with possible landlords. Continue to pray for our team members as they prepare to come join us.
